Members of the National Assembly will, from Tuesday, converge in Nakuru County for a five-day legislative retreat aimed at refining priorities for the Fifth Session of the 13th Parliament, as the House enters the final stretch of its term.
The retreat, a longstanding parliamentary tradition held ahead of every session, provides lawmakers with an opportunity to reflect on past performance, align on strategic goals, and chart a clear legislative roadmap for the year ahead.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who will preside over the meeting, said the House must now move with urgency to conclude critical business that directly affects the lives of Kenyans.
“We are entering what I call the golden hour of the 13th Parliament. This retreat is critical and offers members an opportunity to refine our legislative priorities and complete unfinished business,” Wetang’ula said.
Held under the theme “Securing Parliamentary Legacy: Delivering the Fifth Session’s Agenda and Preparing for Transition,” the retreat comes at a pivotal moment as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
Lawmakers are expected to assess the National Assembly’s performance over the first four sessions, share experiences and challenges, and agree on the way forward as they work within the constitutional timelines of a concluding term.
Key items on the agenda include consideration of the proposed legislative programme for the Fifth Session, review of priority Bills and pending business, members’ welfare and institutional facilitation, and strengthening cohesion between House leadership and Members.
Electoral preparedness is expected to feature prominently, with members engaging the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, and Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou.
Discussions will focus on boundary delimitation, political party financing, and legislative interventions required to strengthen electoral reforms.
“We must ensure that the transition to the next electoral cycle is anchored on legal frameworks that command public trust,” Wetang’ula said.
The retreat will also serve as a performance audit of key social sectors, notably health and education.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is expected to address concerns surrounding the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), including service delivery gaps and the sustainability of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), amid reports of challenges faced by citizens in accessing care.
In the education sector, lawmakers will scrutinise the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, now a decade after its conceptualisation. Persistent challenges, including infrastructure deficits and teacher shortages under the 2-6-3-3 structure, are expected to dominate deliberations.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Education last appeared before the House in November 2025 on the issue of delayed capitation. Members will now assess the current status of CBE implementation and identify legislative interventions to strengthen its sustainability,” the Speaker said.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is scheduled to brief Members on the prevailing economic outlook as the House prepares to consider the 2025/2026 supplementary budget and lay the groundwork for the 2026/2027 fiscal cycle.
The privatisation of State-owned enterprises will also come under review following the enactment of the Government-Owned Enterprises Act, 2025, with a focus on safeguarding public interest during divestiture.
In light of rapid digital transformation, a dedicated session will address data protection and cybersecurity as Parliament moves towards full digitisation amid growing cyber threats and the expanding use of artificial intelligence.
Progress on the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) will also be reviewed in the wake of recent court rulings on its constitutional status.
“The House will deliberate on mechanisms to safeguard NG-CDF and NGAAF while ensuring alignment with constitutional principles and evolving governance realities,” Wetang’ula said.
He added that the outcomes of the retreat would define the National Assembly’s final session and shape its legislative legacy.
“The Fifth Session is the final stretch of this Parliament. Our duty is to consolidate gains, complete priority legislation, and reinforce Parliament’s role as the people’s foremost institution of accountability,” he said.
Participants at the retreat include members of the Presidium, Parliamentary Service Commission commissioners, majority and minority party leadership, whips, and senior parliamentary staff.
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